The Purcell School Policy for Dealing with Self Harm

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1 The Purcell School Policy for Dealing with Self Harm Why we need a policy. It will ensure a consistent approach from all staff Those seeking help will feel secure if we know how we can help them. It gives us all a structure for dealing with the problem It provides support for staff What is self-harm? Self-harm happens when someone hurts or harms themselves. They may: cut themselves burn their body bang their head throw their body against something hard punch themselves stick things in their body swallow inappropriate objects take too many tablets bite themselves pull their hair or eye lashes out scratch/re-infect wounds drink bleach eat glass or they may behave in ways that suggest they don't care whether they live or die - these are be less obvious ways of self-harming: control eating patterns anorexia, bulimia, over-eating indulge in risky behaviour e.g. car dodging indulge in risky sexual behaviour destructive use of drugs or alcohol Young people who self-harm will usually do it in a state of high emotion, distress and unbearable inner turmoil although it can feel to other people that these things are done coldly or deliberately. Some young people plan to self harm in advance, others do it suddenly. Some young people self-harm only once or twice, but others do it regularly - it can become an addiction. Other words that are used to describe self-harm. Other words often used to describe self-harm are: deliberate self-harm, self-inflicted harm, self injury, deliberate self injury. Young people often refer to self-harm as cutting, slashing or burning. Staff who are trained in the area of working with Self-Harm The Deputy Head Pastoral, The School Nurse and the School Counsellor have all been trained in the area of working with self-harm.

2 Who self-harms? About 1 in 10 young people will self-harm at some point and it can occur at any age. The mean age of onset of self-harm in Hertfordshire is 13. It is more common in young women than young men. Gay and bisexual people seem to be more likely to self-harm. Sometimes groups of young people self-harm together. Having a friend who self-harms may increase a young person's chances of self harming as well. Self-harm is more common in some sub-cultures.(goths and Emos) People who self-harm are more likely to have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse during childhood. What makes young people self-harm? A basic emotional need is not being met. If the act of self-harm becomes an addiction it is taking the place of the need/s that is/are not being met. Emotional distress - young people often struggle with difficulties for some time before they self-harm. These difficulties may include: physical or sexual abuse feeling depressed feeling bad about themselves difficult relationship problems with boyfriend/girlfriend, friends and family members stress due to school work and exams being bullied flash backs to traumatic events in their lives Young people may feel: that no-one listens to them hopeless isolated, alone out of control powerless - it feels as though there's nothing they can do to change anything For many young people there is a combination of factors at work. How does it make young people feel? Self-harm can help young people to feel more in control and can reduce uncomfortable feelings of tension and distress. If they feel guilty, it can be a way of punishing themselves and relieving their guilt. Some young people feel better immediately afterwards and then feel guilty about what they have done. Popular Misconceptions about Self-Harm. They are not attention seeking It is not a horrific prank It is not a phase It is not a cry for help It is not a suicide attempt, self-harm is a coping strategy; it is to do with staying alive.

3 Are people who self-harm mentally ill? Most young people who self-harm are not mentally ill. However, some may be depressed or misuse alcohol and drugs. Everyone who self-harms should be taken seriously and offered help. Danger signs. Those who are most likely to harm themselves badly: Use a dangerous or violent method Self-harm regularly Are socially isolated Have a psychiatric disorder What can help? When a young person wants to harm themselves: The feelings of self-harm will go away after a while. If they can cope with the upset without self-harming for a time, it will get easier over the next few hours. It might be useful to get the young person to think of a time when they felt like self-harming but had not done so. What had they done instead? Try to help the young person come up with things that might work for them. If this is not possible some suggestions could be made. They could consider the following: Talk to someone - if they are on your own perhaps phone a friend. Distract themselves by going out, singing or listening to music, or by doing anything (harmless) that interests them. Relax and focus their mind on something pleasant - their very own personal comforting place. Find another way to express their feelings such as squeezing ice cubes (which can be made with red juice to mimic blood if the sight of blood is important), or just drawing red lines on their skin. Give themselves some 'harmless pain' - eat a hot chilli, or have a cold shower. Focus their mind on positives. Be kind to themselves - get a massage. Write a diary or a letter, to explain what is happening - no one else needs to see it. When the young person does not want to stop self-harming? If the young person decides that they don't want to stop self-harming, you can still discuss the following with them how to stay safe and reduce the damage to their body how to deal with the things that lead them to self-harm how to find another way of dealing with their distress

4 every so often, to re-visit their decision not to stop self-harming If the young person harms themselves and needs treatment? Take them immediately to the School Medical Centre or Watford General A&E if out of hours. What can I do if I know someone who self-harms? It can be very upsetting to be close to someone who self-harms but there are things you can do. The most important is to listen to them without judging them or being critical. This can be very hard if you are upset - and perhaps angry - about what they are doing. Try to concentrate on them rather than your own feelings, although this can be hard. Don t worry about saying the wrong thing Show genuine concern Be open and make time to listen to them Encourage them to make their own decisions Be calm and patient with them Give them a message of hope - things will get better Don't Show disappointment Give ultimatums Shout Try to force the person to talk Confiscate equipment they will just find more ingenious ways of doing it Try to force them to stop remember self-harm might be keeping them safe. School Procedures Any member of The Purcell School Community who knows a pupil who has or they feel is thinking of self harming should report this to the pupil s Houseparent or if they feel this is not appropriate to the Deputy Head Pastoral or the School Nurse. The Houseparent/Deputy Head Pastoral/Tutor should remove equipment that they consider to be dangerous or is against School rules for the pupil to have in their possession. If physical harm has been done the pupil should be taken to the School Medical Centre or Watford General A&E for medical assessment and care. This would usually be arranged by the appropriate Houseparent or the Deputy Head Pastoral. The Deputy Head Pastoral or School Counsellor can provide Counselling within the School or they can help the pupil make contact with many support organisations within Hertfordshire as appropriate. The pupil should be advised of this. Some instances of self-harm are Child Protection issues in which case the procedures laid down in The Purcell School Child Protection

5 Policy must be followed. Unless Medical Confidentiality has been granted to the pupil or there is some other over-riding reason not to, the pupil s parents must be informed of the situation and be actively involved in the handling of the situation. The decision not to involve parents should be taken in consultation with the Headmaster and the Deputy Head Pastoral. If any member of staff has any concerns about confidentiality issues they should take advice from the Headmaster/deputy Head Pastoral. It may be necessary to hold a case conference to discuss the way forward. If this is the case then the procedures laid down in The Purcell School Child Protection Policy should be followed. Recording and Reporting Incidents of Self-Harm that take place on College Premises A Self-Harm Report Form (see Appendix A) should be completed, usually by the Housemaster/mistress and passed to the Deputy Head Pastoral who will keep a central record of all incidents. The Deputy Head Pastoral and Headmaster will review this record annually to identify any trends or other areas of concern. MEP Nov 2010

6 Appendix A Self Harm Report Form Complete and pass to the Deputy Head Pastoral (a copy should be kept on the pupil s file) Name House Date Date of Birth Year Group Brief Description of Events Immediate Action Taken Medical Centre Involved Doctor seen Parents informed (if no enter date decision made) Support Available explained Case conference held Other Comments yes/no Date signed date